Review: Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure by Liv Lorkin

 Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is the first book in a new series by author Liv Lorkin.

Join Rocky, Daisy and Lucky the flowerpot gnomes on a top secret gnomie adventure.

The gnomes are enjoying a beachside holiday when they receive an urgent message to return to headquarters. A gnome has gone missing on a top secret mission. First they must find the missing gnome, inspect the tree mail network and also gather all the lost and missing postcards.

Follow along as Rocky, Daisy and Lucky, travelling in their flowerpot car, collect the lost postcards and repair the tree mail trees along the way.

Tree Mail Adventure is a whimsical nature filled adventure that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of younger readers.

Strength, brains and bravery are championed as the gnomes travel far and wide and work together to solve the problem of the tree mail. 

Light-hearted fun and a little bit of magic, Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is a fun graphic novel for our littlest readers. A wonderful introduction to graphic novels with the story told mostly through visual story-telling.

Liv Lorkin's black and white cartoon style illustrations are bold and filled with emotion and spirit.

I am sure readers will be eager for the next Gnomie adventure.

My rating 4 / 5 🪴🪴🪴🪴

Recommended age: 7 - 9 Years

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th March 2026

Series: Gnoming About #1

Genre: Junior Fiction / Graphic Novel

Pages: 85

RRP: $16.95AU (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

#gnomingabout #treemailadventure #livlorkin #graphicnovel #juniorfiction #australianauthor #childrensbooks

Review: My Busy Brain by Natalie Shaw

My Busy Brain is a wonderful picture book that not only explains an ADHD busy brain but celebrates it.

Meet Max, he has a busy brain which likes to think of lots of things at once. It can be lots of fun but it can also be confusing.

Written & illustrated by Natalie Shaw

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 26th February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: $19.99AU (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the author

I loved the analogy Natalie has used in the book, of tiny cars racing around and sending messages around the brain and body.

Max's brain is so busy he forgets what he is meant to be doing. Sometimes he tries to slow down those busy cars and it can be really hard.

My Busy Brain explains that frustration is normal and if your busy brain is affecting how you function and feel there are lots of ways to help you through each day. Things like working together with family and teachers, making a routine chart or taking a prescribed  medication.

Max explains how his medication affects his brain and helps him to be calm and learn at school.

My Busy Brain is the perfect story for children diagnosed with ADHD and their carers.

I love Natalie Shaw's super simple, adorable and childlike illustrations using stick figures, which absolutely, perfectly suit this little book as it is narrated by Max and this is exactly how I imagine Max would draw the pictures.

My Busy Brain gives children a gentle way to learn about ADHD and many a child will see themselves in Max and discover that their busy brain is something to be celebrated

If you have a child with ADHD My Busy Brain explains everything on a child's level that is easy for them to take in and understand. Reading the book together opens up an avenue for discussion.

My rating 5 / 5 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠

Recommended age: 4 - 9 years

#mybusybrain #natalieshaw #kidsbooksaboutadhd #australianauthor #childrenspicturebook #ausbookbloggers 

Review: Valerie by Lucinda Gifford

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog

This story of Valerie was inspired by the amazing true story of a little dachshund lost for 529 days in the wilderness of Kangaroo Island, before she was eventually captured and reunited with her family.

This feat of courage and resilience inspired Lucinda Gifford to reimagine Valerie's time on the island. 

In this enchanting and heartwarming picture book Valerie is not lost but having a grand adventure, living the beach life, eating delicious, mostly stolen, food and enjoying the freedom of the outdoors. Until, feeling a bit homesick, she takes a long and arduous journey back to her family.

Valerie is an engaging picture book filled with fun and adventure. The cheeky little Valerie knows exactly what she is doing, enjoying the freedom to run around the beach and explore the terrain.

The fun and jaunty text perfectly adds to the theme of merrymaking and excitement.

Eagerly, Valerie looked all around.

Joyfully, Valerie felt her heart pound.

The wind blew her ears back.

The wild ocean ROARDED.

Children will love following this mischievous little pup as she steals food and runs wild and free, wondering all the way through the story if Valerie will be reunited with her family.

Valerie is a heartwarming story of adventure and also realising that there is no better place than your own cosy bed after a day exploring.

Spend a day with Valerie as she unintentionally takes a boat ride, gets swept overboard, is rescued by a pod of dolphins and spends a glorious day at the beach, running and playing and having the time of her life.

Lucinda Gifford's artwork is a story in itself. Each scene clearly pictures the story as it moves along. These picture scenes make the book ideal for younger pre-readers to read alone and make up their own words to go with the illustrations.

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog will be a treasured addition to any home library and will be enjoyed by dog lovers everywhere.

This is an independent and unofficial story of Valerie.

My rating 5 / 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Recommended age: 3-6 years

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 10th February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $19.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Celebration Festival by Alysia Kelly

 Right from the fun cover illustrations I knew we would love Celebration Festival by Alysia Kelly. There are balloons, lanterns, fireworks, dancing and stomping in a barrel of tomatoes. What could be more fun than a whole festival of celebrations!

illustrated by Ruth-Mary Smith

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 28th January 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Everyone in Evie's local community is coming together to share their special celebration in a spectacular Celebration Festival and Evie gets to crown the winner. How will she decide which celebration is the best?

This fabulous picture book goes through month by month featuring wonderful celebrations from around the world. Information and facts on the different celebrations are included at a level to be understood by the targeted audience of 4 - 8 years. Alysia Kelly doesn't only include big festivals but also fun, and maybe unknown, events like Spaghetti Day, Wildlife Day and World Laughter Day.

Celebration Festival is a delightful picture book packed with celebratory facts that will have you celebrating the whole year through.

Follow Evie and her cheeky little dog Biscuit as they join in with all the different celebrations from January through to December. There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for that it couldn't all fit into this book.

I loved the cartoon style illustrations by Ruth-Mary Smith. Evie is just gorgeous with her curly ginger hair and her cute, happy face. And you can't not fall in love with Biscuit the cheeky dog.

Celebration Festival is a book that will constantly be in use as each month's special days are celebrated with the whole family.

I'm excited for World Laughter Day Sunday 3rd May. Laughter is the best medicine. 🤣

This wonderful book isn't only a fun read that will keep the children engaged, it's also the perfect opener to talk about the different ways people celebrate around the world. You can start your own celebrations each month and also think of other celebration days not mentioned, and how people celebrate them.

Celebration Festival has so much scope for further activities, crafts, cooking and discussion in the classroom and at home.

Celebration Festival is a fun and valuable addition to any library.

My rating 5 / 5 💃💃💃💃💃

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#celebrationfestival #alysiakelly #ruthmarysmithillustrator #aussieauthor #kidsbookswelove #booksontouraus #childrenspicturebook

Mailbox Monday - 16th March 2026

MAILBOX MONDAY

On Mondays I will be posting the new books I have received for review, won and purchased over the previous week / month.

 

Books for review:

Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall

Published by Allen & Unwin

on 3rd March 2026

About the book:

An epic Tail of Adventure! Can one gallant mouse find the Gems of Harmony and save her homeland from destruction?

Titch knows that she must find the Gems of Harmony if she is to have any hope of fulfilling the prophecy of Bravepaw.

If only she knew where to begin her quest!

The magnificent Library of Lexhelm seems to hold the answers, or at least its books can help Titch and her friends ask the right questions as they journey into danger ...

But prophecies can be twisted, enemies can be slippery, and sometimes the person it is hardest to trust is yourself.

With all of Alluria on the line, can Titch make the right decision? 

Treeshape by Trace Balla

Published by Allen & Unwin

on 3rd March 2026

About the book:

This beautiful book tells the story of young Trace's awakening to the preciousness of the environment, including her participation in the protests against uranium mining at Jabiluka in the 1980s. Channelling her gift for visual storytelling, Trace reveals emotional truths, shares her commitment to environmental activism, highlights trees that have been meaningful in her life, and explores her deep appreciation of place and connection with First Nations peoples.

With its delicate artwork, heartfelt storytelling and timely themes of compassion and environmental care, this graphic novel will resonate with readers of all ages.

Handbooks for Little Humans- Inclusion by Zanni Louise

Published by Affirm Press on 24th February 2026.

About the book:

Whew, being a human can be tricky sometimes, don't you think?
There are so many things to learn, brushing your teeth, your left and right and how to sign your name.
Here’s another thing to add to your being inclusive.
What does that mean? Good question! Being inclusive means we make the world feel friendly and safe for everyone.
Shall we take a look?
 

#bravepawandthefangstoneofflintfall #treeshape #inclusion #aussieauthor #reviewbooks #newrelease #picturebooks #ausbookbloggers #bookmail #2026releases 

Review: The Midnight Chew by Sally Morgan

 The Midnight Chew is a rollicking tale about the kindness of sharing when there is more than enough for one.

"On a cold and blustery winter's night Skippy Gillespie crept out for a bite...."

illustrated by Karen Blair

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: October 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Join Skippy Gillespie and Boofa Boy Jones in this lively tale filled with humour, action and adventure.

Skippy sneaks out at night to find the bone he has buried at the local dump. He's been saving this bone for a late-night chew. He doesn't know that Boofa Boy is following him and he is bigger and stronger than Skippy. Boofa steals the bone and runs. What ensues is a race through the night but once back Boofa feels bad for stealing Skippy's bone and gives it back. In an act of kindness Skippy offers to share the bone. There is plenty for two.

Many children will relate to the plight of poor Skippy saving something precious only to have a bigger, stronger child take it. However this action-packed tale comes with a happy ending for everyone.

I loved the dark illustrations by Karen Blair. They perfectly portray the night time atmosphere with the street lights spotlighting small areas and the cats and rats out in the street watching the antics of the two dogs. There are so many small things, little gems on each page that you may not notice on a first reading. The frog in the pond and the little black cat who follows the dogs to the dump and all the way back. These little treasures add an extra dimension to this happy tale of enemies to friends, and the joy of sharing.

The Midnight Chew will have young children entranced as they wait to find out who will win the bone.

The fun rhyming prose roll off the tongue with ease which keeps the story moving along at a fast pace.

Award-winning First Nations author Sally Morgan and CBCA award-winning illustrator Karen Blair have created a playful, rhyming adventure that’s perfect for younger readers who love dogs.

For readers of Lynley Dodd and Julia Donaldson.

My rating 5 / 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years 

#themidnightchew #kidsbookswelove #kidsbookswithdogs #littlesquirrelsbookshelf #aussieauthor #ausbookbloggers #justkidslit 

Review: Archie the Amazing Axolotl by Lana Johnson

 Archie the Amazing Axolotl is a gentle book about championing your differences. It's a book not only for children with busy brains but also the adults and children around them to help them understand and support each other.

illustrated by Katherine Richardson

Publisher: Busy Little Bee Books

Publication date: 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.95AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

Archie attends Wigglebottom School of Wonder but he's not like all the other sea creatures. He was always flipping, flapping and thinking big thoughts and that's what made him so amazing.

Archie the Amazing Axolotl is a book that celebrates neuro-diversity. Archie is never still, always fidgetty and thinking lots of different thoughts. Sometimes he wanted his brain to slow down.

I loved that Archie's mother explained to him that his super active brain was his super power but she also gave him strategies for when he was overwhelmed. His 'busy brain toolbox' is full of items to help him do his best thinking and harness his super brain. 

Archie the Amazing Axolotl is all about acceptance and support. The teacher explains to the class how some brains work slowly and some work fast, some like busy noise and some like calm. His classmates champion his quick thinking and instead of feeling too much Archie feels amazing.

Katherine Richardson's water colour sketches are showcased in soft and calm pastels giving busy brains a relaxing environment to follow on the page.

The use of anthropomorphism helps children to open up and discuss the topic in a non-threatening, slightly distanced way.

Sharing the book between children and caregivers provides ample opportunity for meaningful discussions on how everyone is unique and all have something important to give. 

Archie the Amazing Axolotl is a thoughtful and tender tale that encourages self confidence in children who may have been targeted for being different.

Lana Johnson has included notes for parents, caregivers and educators.

Questions for readers. More information on Archie. Activities and questions to discuss in a group. Quick tips to support busy brains.

Archie the Amazing Axolotl is a valuable resource for not only caregivers of a neuro-divergent child but also educators and anyone wanting to teach their neuro-typical child empathy and understanding of others.

My rating 5 / 5 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

Recommended age: 3 - 10 years

#archietheamazingaxolotl #childrenspicturebook #earlylearning #ausbookbloggers #australianauthor #kidsbookswelove #littlesquirrelsbookshelf